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About the Conference

The First International WoodFungi Conference was a huge success!

The First International WoodFungi Conference was dedicated to wood fungi or lignicolous mushrooms. WoodFungi took place in June of 2018 in Ghent, Belgium.

You wanted to exchange ideas and compare practical solutions to common problems, find answers to long lingering questions, share some wisdom and enjoy recognition.

We realized your dream: our anniversary year 2018 was the perfect occasion to organize the WoodFungi Conference, the first international conference dedicated to the cultivation of lignicolous fungi.

Why was this conference different?

We hosted a diverse group of speakers presenting pragmatic advice, we offered networking opportunities and a fantastic setting, right in the center of the city of Ghent, Belgium. You brought your insight, your observations and your know-how.

Together, the speakers had more than 500 years of practical experience. You learned about cultivation from other cultivators. It was truly a growers conference.

You visited Inagro and Devroe, two industry giants and a brewery, Brouwerij Rodenbach. And to balance culture, we offered two mycelium material exhibitions.

Special program for your partner

The accompanying persons’ program included a visit to Ghent with its incredibly rich history and Bruges, home to no less than three world heritage sites.

“Wood Fungi like the Shiitake and King Oyster are undervalued in Europe and the US.

I see it as part of my mission to put them in the spotlight.”Magda Verfaillie, Mycelia, Belgium

Our Corporate Sponsors

Schedule

Leaving from the Handelsbeurs: Hospitality Tour of Ghent.
The guide will drop you at the boat. Join us for a guided tour of Ghent, know where you are and what to do before the conference starts. During this hour long tour we will show you some of Ghent’s main attractions, tell you a little bit of history and point out some good local hang-outs.

Leaving from the Korenlei 4A on an ongoing basis: Leaving from
the Korenlei 4A on an ongoing basis: Boat trip to the Handelsbeurs. Enjoy a boat ride through the beautiful medieval canals of Ghent and arrive at
the Handelsbeurs where a warm welcome awaits you. Have a drink on one of Ghent’s terraces while waiting for your boat.

Bargeplein, Bruges,
Duration: 10h30-14h30
Once upon a time Bruges was the center of the world. Now Bruges has a center full of tourists.
You can’t blame them.
Bruges is unique!
This is a gourmet tour introducing you to local specialties found in the historical center of Bruges. We take you to a few establishments to sample some typical delicacies: chocolates, cheese, fine meats... Going from one shop to the other, our guides treat you to the most amusing stories and historical anecdotes. Midway we stop at a restaurant for lunch.
Departure:
9h30 at the Handelsbeurs
Arrival:
16h00 at the Handelsbeurs

Join your hardworking partners and come to Nevele for a reception. The reception is accompanied by a tour through Mycelia, including an exhibit of new fungal applications. Come and see where we work, create and grow, in the middle of the Flemish countryside. A bus will take you, be ready for the bus at 16:00.

A chance to register whilst enjoying a cup of coffee. IMPORTANT! Partners that did not register at the Welcome Reception on day one or at breakfast on day two will need to register now in order to be able to take part in partner activities.

The car-free center of Ghent is a pleasure to stroll through for young and old alike. Relax with a beer on a terrace, grab a bag of our world famous frites or enjoy a gourmet meal. No organized activities tonight.

(Sint-Veerleplein 10h30-14h30)
The “Prinsenhof” or Prince’s Court was a grand castle, birthplace of Emperor Charles V. Unfortunately, there is not much left of this once so impressive residence, only the Dark Gate remains today. However, the Prinsenhof is one of the most picturesque and charming neighborhoods of Ghent. At the end our guide takes you along the most beautiful sights in the center of town.

visit to the farm of Patrick and Lucrèce Devroe, growers of mainly Shiitake and Oyster mushrooms. In collaboration with the giant fruit and vegetable trader REO Auction, Devroe will prepare and serve various lignicolous mushroom snacks. Afterwards, our bus will make a drive-through tour of REO Auction

Visit to Inagro, Institute for Research and Advice in Agriculture and Horticulture, Department Edible Mushrooms. Visit the infrastructure for mushroom research, compost production bunkers, pasteurisation tunnels, growing rooms, machinery, and witness a demonstration of active experiments.

Tickets

Standard Registration

480 EUR

After February 1, 2018

Standard registration includes full access to all conference activities, talks, receptions and lunches. It does NOT include the optional field trip on the last day. For this you will have to purchase the OPTIONAL Field Trip ticket.

30% off standard registration with proof of current enrollment in an accredited university.

Student registration includes full access to all conference activities, talks, receptions and lunches. It does NOT include the optional field trip on the last day. For this you will have to purchase the OPTIONAL Field Trip ticket.

For accompanying persons: bring your spouse, your partner, family member or friend, introduce them to your colleagues at our wonderful receptions and lunches. (2 each)

If you purchase a regular conference ticket, wether it be early bird, standart or student you DO NOT need to buy this ticket. This is for partners who ONLY want to enjoy our good food, beverages and ambiance at receptions. This does NOT include the trips to Bruges and Ghent. (For this, see accompanying person ticket) It does NOT include the optional field trip on the last day. For this you will have to purchase the OPTIONAL Field Trip ticket.

Location

About Conference

The Wood Fungi conference on lignin degrading mushrooms aims at providing research information and networking opportunities to professionals in the mushroom industry. The seminar will host top speakers from spawn, substrate and compost producers and research institutes. Topics include talks on wood-loving fungi such as King Oyster, Shiitake, Maitake, Pioppino and Reishi and on climate control, contamination and decontamination, substrate mixing and recipes, breathing bags, bag filling lines, temperatures, etc. There will be a focus on emerging technologies such as building material and architecture, mycelial art, insulation and packaging.